Pathways To Success: Manage Your Evening

Coming home from a long day at work to homework can be daunting. Try not to face it that way. Think of your end of day as chance to change the world. Your home is a mini version of the world at large.

The end of the work day and managing your child’s school work can be tricky.

Make checking your child’s backpack or folder a daily part of your routine. After dinner is done or while making dinner make time to do the “book-bag check”. This is a great time to see what they need. The child will start to volunteer information about items they have lost or are missing.

Communicate your belief that your child can do the work on her own, but that you will be happy to assist her if she gets stuck. They will more than likely feel attached to having you present in the room of you offer rather than demand.

Designate a time and place for your child to do homework. If he/she does not have homework, have him use the time to read. Routine is the essence of a child’s life.

Show love and respect for your evening time. Do not give in to your temptation of electronic communication. Put down your phone and talk one of one.

Most of all try leaving your job at the job. Don’t let work take all your energy, leaving none for your family. At the end of the day, do something at work that energizes you. For example, try doing at least some of the work activities that energize you the most just before you leave work. Then you will carry more energy into your family.

In addition, try using your commute time to renew yourself by listening to energizing music or books on tape. Your family needs you whole. However, you also need to be flexible and able to change, so your schedule shouldn’t be too rigid.

Most importantly, laugh! Keep a good sense of humor and go with the flow, even if things don’t turn out as planned.